Page 4034 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008

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Bimberi—Youth Detention Centre
(Question No 2206)

Mr Seselja asked the Minister for Children and Young People, upon notice, on 21 August 2008:

(1) In relation to the Forecast Underspends for 2007-08 in the Capital Works Report for the March Quarter 2007-08, what are the principal reasons for the rollover of funding for Bimberi Youth Detention Centre;

(2) Has the project been re-scoped since the original allocation, or has the cost of the project changed; if so, what are those changes;

(3) What (a) was the original and (b) is the current estimated month and year for completion of the project;

(4) Why was the delay in acquittal of funding for the project in the 2007-08 year unanticipated at the time of original budget forecasts for the 2007-08 year;

(5) What portion of the budget for this project does the rollover represent.

Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The rollover of funds was for works that were committed, and in the majority of instances were completed in 2007-08, but were not invoiced, certified, passed for payment and paid until early in 2008-09. There may also have been some instances in which funds were held against the provision of ‘as constructed documentation’, service, operational manual warrantees and certification.

(2) No, unusually for a project of this size and complexity, it has been constructed entirely to the original scope.

(3) a) 30 June 2008.

b) 14 July 2008.

(4) The Bimberi Youth Justice Centre was fully appropriated in the 2005-06 Budget reflecting the Government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised by the Human Rights Commissioner’s audit of Quamby. This was prior to a site being identified, the undertaking of a Territory Plan Variation, Preliminary Assessment and referral to the Commonwealth, the development of a user requirements brief, acquisition of the land, determination of a procurement model, selection of a Project Manager, preparation of a construction program and development of a cash flow projection. Without the cash flow projection the commitment and expenditure over the final months was, of necessity, an estimate. Notwithstanding these inputs, the final payments under the contract are always influenced by ‘wet weather’, other legitimate claims for extensions of time and the performance of subcontractors against the contract requirements listed at answer 1 above.

(5) 9.4%


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